The Best Albums of the Decade

Dido - Life for Rent (2003)

For me, this is as good as Dido can probably ever get, and that is okay by me. The slumber, electronic sound that caresses throughout the entire album can be soothing, confronting, and ambient all at once without being too overbearing. While the entire world knew “White Flag” (which opened the album) it was the album’s closing song, “See the Sun,” that instantly made this album a top five of all time.

Alanis Morissette - Under Rug Swept (2002)

Although technically this is more of an honorable mention, it is THE album that forever transformed the way I listened to music. It was “Hands Clean,” arguably Alanis’ most radio friendly single to date that got my attention, and I haven’t stopped listening since. Aside from maybe two other songs (“Surrendering” comes to mind) the album was kind of mediocre.

Toni Collette and the Finish - Beautiful Awkward Pictures (2006)

My personal love for Toni Collette, the actress, came from accidentally discovering Toni Collette, the musician. An Australia only release, it fits like a glove in my music collection. Earthy, meaningful lyrics that are accented, never overdone, by the music of The Finish make this album near perfect. “Look Up,” the second single is the most poignant and uplifting song I have ever heard.

Tori Amos - Scarlet’s Walk (2002)

It can be overwhelming to discover an artist you like when already there are multiple albums under their belt. Scarlet’s Walk, Tori’s seventh studio album, was my first exposure to the goddess, and maybe because of that, it will always be her best to me. This, as with most of her albums, is a concept from start to finish. Usually I would find songs such as this to be impersonal but so many songs on Scarlet’s Walk bring a piece of me on Scarlet’s American road trip.

Dixie Chicks - Taking the Long Way (2006)

It’s political without politics. It’s country without the cowboy. It doesn’t require many words to say, with assurance, that it is one of the best albums to come from the country genre in a very long time.